Photo lab snaps base into focus

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Nicole Leidholm
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Airmen needing a place to receive their official passport photos, special duty and award package photos need look no further.

The base photo lab provides government passport photos for active duty or Reserve Airmen and their families.

Walk-in hours for passport photos are 1 to 4 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays and 8 a.m. to noon Wednesdays. No appointment is necessary, but be sure to bring the proper paperwork.

"Bring an AF IMT 833 filled out by your unit deployment manager," said Ken Wright, 60th Air Mobility Wing photographer. "Bring a civilian shirt if desired, though shirts are provided. Shirts should preferably be collared and not white."

An 833 is a multimedia work order, said Dave Cushman, 60th Air Mobility Wing multimedia manager.

"The 833 provides two functions," Cushman said. "It ensures customer information so the photographer knows what to do on the job. It provides the who, what, when, where and why of what the customer needs. The other function allows us to track production. It is tracked by Air Mobility Command, all the way up to the Air Force level."

Passport agents fill it out for a permanent change of station, said Heidi Couch, 60th Air Mobility Wing photographer. It is Air Force directive that the form is printed on the front and back of the paper. The UDM fills out the 833 for mobility purposes, passports, visa, blue badge and iso preps.

Passport photos are given back within 10 to 15 minutes.

"We are only responsible for the photo portion, not the application process," Wright said.

The photo lab also has studio hours for full-length and head-and-shoulder portraits Monday through Wednesday.

"We are particularly busy during the first quarter for annual awards," Wright said. "We also provide photos for the Army and Marines, so it is important to call as soon as possible to schedule the appointment. Most people get in around one to two weeks."

The photo lab also takes a final official retirement photo.

"Any active duty or Reserve Airmen can call to schedule the appointment." Wright said. "It doesn't matter the rank. We don't photograph retirement ceremonies anymore, so this is a way for our retirees to have one final head-and-shoulders portrait."

A studio appointment at the base photo lab is an official appoint just like one at David Grant USAF Medical Center.

If Airmen cannot make their appointment, they need to call the lab to avoid receiving a no-show letter, Wright said.

It also is important for military members to know that they are responsible for their dress and appearance. By regulation, the photo lab is prohibited from manipulating photos in any way.

"Service members tend to come in uniforms that are wrinkled or don't fit," Wright said. "Take the time to prepare your uniform prior to coming in."

The base photo lab provides other services to the base as well.

"We provide news support in the base newspaper and significant historical events such as changes of command and humanitarian efforts," Wright said. "We also cover accident, safety and criminal investigations, base exercises and international treaty support."

Other events happen on base that photographers are unauthorized to shoot, Wright said. For those events, units may stop by the lab and sign out a point-and-shoot camera for official functions.

"We are responsible for projecting the best image of Travis and its Airmen and not letting their hard work go unnoticed," Wright said.

Combined the shop has more than 100 years of multimedia experience. All members in the small shop of four are prior enlisted, working in photography, videography and graphic arts.

"I was active duty for 10 years and Reserve for 11 before retiring as a master sergeant for the Air Force News Agency," Wright said. "I have always enjoyed taking photos of Airmen on the job that are more than just a historical document, but are important to them and their family and may be the only time they were photographed doing their job. Every time is another opportunity to create something that's meaningful, even if to one person."

The base photo lab is located on Waldron Street, across from the Band of the Golden West building and tennis courts in Bldg. 243 in Bay-F.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 424-5584.